Gosho Aoyama

Gosho Aoyama, born Yoshimasa Aoyama on June 21, 1963, in Hokuei, Tottori Prefecture, Japan, is a manga artist best known for creating the long-running mystery series *Case Closed* (also known as *Detective Conan*), which began serialization in 1994 and continues to this day. He grew up in a family that ran a gas station, and his early interest in drawing and detective fiction led him to pursue a career in manga. After studying at Nihon University College of Art, he made his professional debut in 1987 with the short story *Wait a Minute*. His first major series was *Yaiba*, a samurai-themed adventure that ran from 1988 to 1993, earning him a loyal following. However, it was *Case Closed* that made him a household name, with his signature style blending clean, expressive character designs with intricate, puzzle-driven plots. Aoyama has cited Sherlock Holmes and the works of Edogawa Rampo as key influences, and he often collaborated with editors and assistants to maintain the series' complex continuity. By 2017, his manga had sold over 250 million copies worldwide. He received the Shogakukan Manga Award in 1992 for *Yaiba* and again in 2001 for *Case Closed*. Aoyama remains active, overseeing the ongoing *Case Closed* series and its anime adaptations, solidifying his legacy as a master of the mystery genre.